[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 23, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H8107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REPUBLICANS AND MEDICARE

  (Mr. BONIOR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, last year Newt Gingrich said he wanted 
Medicare to wither on the vine. At the time, both Mr. Gingrich and his 
spokesperson, Tony Blankley, said he was referring to Medicare fee-for-
service. But now the Republicans are trying to rewrite history. 
Thirteen separate times the Gingrich Republicans voted to cut Medicare 
for tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals and corporations in 
America. Now they are trying to run away from their record. I suppose 
next they will tell us that Bob Dole did vote for Medicare back in 
1965.
  This is one more attempt, I might add, Mr. Speaker, by the 
Republicans to shut down voices. When seniors tried to speak out 
against Medicare cuts, they were arrested. Now that the labor movement, 
which has been the champion of working people, has had the courage to 
tell the truth about the Gingrich agenda and speak out for working 
families most affected by these cuts, Republicans are trying to silence 
them.
  Republicans can try to shut down voices all they want to, because 
they are never going to be able to shut down the truth.

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